Eric Hutchins (@trimon29) – Houston, Tx

“My love for the bike comes from a feeling. Those times when everything is working right, your spinning along, the road is smooth the scenery beautiful, the only sound the whir of your gearset. Your body is up off the ground and it feels like flying. Not being a writer I can’t describe it like you guys can but, its magical, it feels for a while like you can go forever, like you wont tire, like gravity doesn’t effect you.”

Pamela Fagan Hutchings (@Pameloth) – Houston, Tx

“I love the bike because it makes me feel like I am at that magical age of “no responsibility,” when you first experience freedom on your bike, the freedom to go wherever two wheels can take you. Ah, to be young, flying, and free. What is ever better than discovering that feeling? I rediscover it every time I sit on a bicycle seat.”

Read more about why Pamela is loving the bike over at her blog: Road to Joy

Lou Cook – Westford, Ma

“I was on a ride today and started reminiscing about how I got into cycling. Way back in 1984 one of my good friends Matt started riding a lot. He was so into it that he bought his bike piece by piece and built it himself. I would go over his house and sit and read the old cycling magazines he had piled up on the floor. His room always smelled of bike grease and you had to be careful where you sat as there were drying chamois shorts everywhere. These were OLD SCHOOL chamois in which you had to massage lotion into the chamois in order to keep it supple. I would sit in a trance as he would tell me about his rides and how far had traveled. I marveled at the many towns he would visit on a single ride. Thanks Matt for everything.”

Shelly Leslie – Raleigh, NC

“That’s why I love the bike. The wind in my face, the stillness in my mind. On the bike is where I think about nothing but being on the bike. Taking in the world’s beauty. Concentrating on that which is right in front of me. Remarkable how it clears my head and gives life to my creativity off the bike. That’s why I’m loving the bike.”

Dave Criswell – Boston, MA

“The ride I’ll never forget. I’ve had a few “epic” rides during my cycling and triathlon days but last Saturday’s July 4th ride topped them all.”

Aimee Wilson – Philadelphia, PA

“One of my most memorable rides was in about 50 degree or so weather. I just know it was very cold and damp here in suburban Philly that day. I was determined to finish the ride because I wanted to see the Covered Bridges (the name of the ride) along the route. I learned to win against adversity and find the positives in a given situation (the covered bridges were amazing).”

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out. Have you tried either of these? Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.